Tooth brush



'Ju ne14,1sa3s. W, FAIN 2,120,604

TOOTH BRUSH Filed Sept. 29, 1936 'Tl' M A itomeys Patented June 14, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved toothbrush of a multiple purpose character or type characterized by a plurality of self-contained, se-

lectively usable tuft units expressly adapted to 5 facilitate cleaning all accessible surfaces of both upper and lower teeth.

By way of contrast with prior art structures, the chief novelty resides in the incorporation in the brush of a pair of opposed relatively small bristle tufts or brushes expressly adapted for cleaning the anterior and posterior surfaces of the teeth simultaneously.

A further feature of the invention is predicated upon the double acting brush feature associated with an intervening supplementary brush unit susceptible of satisfactorily cleaning the biting edges and crown portions of the teeth ranging from the front to the back molars.v

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a top plan view of a multiple acting toothbrush constructed in accordance with the principles of the present inventive conception.

Figure 2 is an edge elevational View of the same observing the relatively movable bristle carrying slide unit.

Figure 3 is an end view, that is a View observing both Figures 1 and 2 in a direction from left to right, portions being broken away and shown in section.

In the drawing, the handle is denoted by the numeral l8 and a T-head is indicated at I9. One end of this extends up, as denoted at 20, and carries bristles 2| cooperating with the relatively movable bristles 22 on the slide 23, this being carried by the adapter sleeve or loop 24 and slidable on the adjacent end portion of the cross-head I9. A third group or set of bristles 25 is used between the two sets 2| and 22 to get the triple action already described. In this arrangement it is desirable to have the movable brush member 23 held in place by a coil spring 25. The spring is anchored in the part 19 at one end and at the opposite end is connected with the sliding loop 24. Thus, the movable bristles are automatically held against the desired surfaces of the teeth.

It is believed that in perfecting the aforesaid triple tuft construction, I have evolved and produced a simple and efiicient multiple purpose construction. That is to say, the opposed main bristles are adequately employable for cleaning simultaneously the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth While the auxiliary intervening bristles coact in cleaning the biting edges and thus effectively dislodge accumulations from cavities between the teeth. By using a tooth-pick motion I have found that the brush may be handily utilized to accomplish effective results.

It is obvious that a technical discussion need not be given in connection with a brush of this type because, after all, the novelty is primarily in the provision either of two sets of bristles as shown at 2| and 22 in Figure l, or three sets as shown in Figure 3.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawing will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. A toothbrush comprising a substantially T- shaped member including a handle and a crosshead at one end of the handle, one end of said cross-head being bent laterally, a loop slidable on the opposite end of said cross-head and including an upstanding slide, the inner side of said slide being provided with bristles, additional bristles carried by the inner side of said laterally bent end of the cross-head, and spring means connected with said slide in the manner and for the purposes described.

2. A toothbrush comprising a substantially T- shaped one-piece body including a handle and a cross-head at right angles to the handle at one end thereof, one end of said cross-head being laterally bent and provided on its inner face with bristles, a slide including a loop slidably mounted on the opposite end of said cross-head and disposed in parallelism with respect to said laterally bent end, said slide having bristles opposed to and facing the first-named bristles, a tuft of auxiliary bristles on said cross-head cooperable with the already mentioned bristles, and a coiled spring anchored at one end on the intermediate portion of the cross-head and attached at its opposite end to said loop.

CHARLES WILLIAM FAIN. 

